Lynn O'Neill is a team leader in CSS Galen, a pharmaceutical company based in Northern Ireland. She works in the Craigavon site, some 30 miles outside Belfast.

Originally from Mayo, Lynn O'Neill has been living in Belfast city for two years now: "I suppose I initially decided to come to Northern Ireland as the company offered me a very good job and the site facilities were very impressive. Joining a growing company here in the north, I think that I have gained very valuable experience. Had I joined a larger company in the south I may not have had the same opportunities.

"As we do a lot of contract work I get to work on different projects all the time. In a larger company, I would probably be working on the same project for a longer period of time, and not seeing as many aspects of the business."

Although Ms O'Neill originally settled in Belfast to further her career, she is happy living in the city and plans on staying: "I had only been to Belfast once prior to taking a full-time position here, so I didn't really know the city. When I first arrived, I shared a house with three people from Belfast, so I got to know people fairly quickly.

"Like any city, there are areas that you try and avoid if you can, but since I have been living here I have never encountered any difficulties. My parents were very worried about me moving here but after they visited me I think they saw that Belfast is just like any other city.

"There are some good areas and some bad areas. I really enjoy going out in Belfast: there is a great nightlife where I live and loads of great bars and cafΘs. Although I go back to Mayo every two months or so, I have recently bought a house here and plan on staying."